Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

One of the best in the biz's latest mock, Bradford seems to be the consensus pick for the Rams among draftniks.

1.St. Louis Rams-Sam Bradford,QB, Oklahoma

Kiper: The Rams passed up Matt Ryan for Chris Long and Mark Sanchez for Jason Smith during the past two years, and the results are obvious: They'll draft here. Their feeling has changed, and they have a chance to pick Bradford, who could have been No. 1 over Matthew Stafford last year. Questions still surround Bradford, but the Rams are now thinking it could be a greater risk not to take a guy like Bradford.

2.Detroit Lions-Ndamukong Suh,DT, Nebraska

Kiper: Detroit has made a pair of moves in the past week to upgrade along the defensive line, and adding a player of Suh's caliber here would put them in position to make massive strides on defense in 2010. They can't lose with Suh or McCoy here, but I give the slight edge to Suh.

3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Gerald McCoy,DT, Oklahoma

Kiper: It would be hard to pass up a potential Pro Bowl player and a guy whom many consider the best overall player in the draft at No. 3. McCoy should provide an immediate upgrade against both the run and as an interior pass-rusher, which should help the secondary in the process.

4.Washington Redskins-Jimmy Clausen,QB, Notre Dame

Kiper: I continue to believe that Clausen will see his stock rise when he is physically ready to perform for NFL personnel. He has all the tools to become a solid NFL quarterback, and the Redskins need one and have a chance to develop one.

5.Kansas City Chiefs-Eric Berry,S, Tennessee
Kiper: The Chiefs will race to the podium when Berry is still there at this position. He's a clear need fit and is exceptional value here, and Berry showed in Indy that his physical capabilities match his outstanding film. The Ed Reed comparisons are legit.

6.Seattle Seahawks-Russell Okung,OT, Oklahoma State

Kiper: Seattle won't find the heir to Walter Jones anywhere on the virtually empty free-agent market, and Okung is an ideal replacement here. I see Okung as a steady player whose stock hasn't slipped all year. He'd be a safe, solid pick who would directly impact the team.

7.Cleveland Browns-Jason Pierre-Paul,DE, South Florida

Kiper: Pierre-Paul has the chance to be a dynamic star in the NFL if he continues to develop, and he would be a dangerous pass-rusher as he is now. With off-the-charts physical skills for his size, he's an exciting talent. I said before that he could be the Mario Williams of this draft, and I maintain that thought.

8.Oakland Raiders-Bruce Campbell,OT, Maryland

Kiper: You could see the Raiders taking Trent Williams or Anthony Davis here, but Campbell fits the Al Davis profile. He's a need pick and maybe a reach, but he's also a stunningly impressive physical package, tops among all tackles available. Campbell has star talent, but his productivity is still a question. In a nutshell, he makes sense in Oakland.

9.Buffalo Bills-Trent Williams,OT, Oklahoma

Kiper: Dez Bryant could be a temptation here, but a versatile talent like Williams, who has lined up at left and right tackle, would help the Bills immediately. He would aid the run game and help whichever Bills passer is taking snaps stay upright.

10.Jacksonville Jaguars-Derrick Morgan,DE, Georgia Tech

Kiper: Jacksonville won't stop with the signing of Aaron Kampman, not when it got two sacks out of defensive ends last season. Morgan is great value at No. 10, a remarkably productive and versatile player, and he would allow them to rotate in Derrick Harvey. Don't forget, it's not just about a pass-rush with Morgan; he's also great against the run.

11.Denver Broncos (from Chicago)-Dez Bryant,WR, Oklahoma State

Kiper: I had the Broncos taking Dan Williams here until they used free agency to add the likes of Jamal Williams to that interior line. Problem solved. Bryant fills another need and would be a downfield threat and the top wide receiver available for a team that is likely to lose Brandon Marshall.

12.Miami Dolphins-Dan Williams,DT, Tennessee

Kiper: Getting Karlos Dansby in free agency frees the Dolphins to take Williams, who will in turn help an improved linebacking corps by occupying blockers and disrupting both the passing and running games. Williams is stout, strong and underrated as a disruptive force.

13.San Francisco *****-Joe Haden,CB, Florida
Kiper: A less-than-great 40 showing in Indy was the first %#+@* in the armor for Haden, but he's still clearly the top cornerback in the draft if you watch the film. If San Francisco opts to let Nate Clements go, Haden would be the perfect pick. Even if it doesn't, Haden has great value.

14.Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)-Everson Griffen,DE, USC

Kiper: Seattle needs a pass-rusher on the edge of a 4-3 scheme, and Griffen both fits the bill and has a history with Pete Carroll. Griffen proved to scouts at the combine that he's a physical force. He could be even better in the pros than he was at USC.

15.New York Giants-Rolando McClain,ILB, Alabama

Kiper: McClain is the top inside linebacker in the draft, and the Giants would be thrilled to see him available at No. 15. Speed is the only question surrounding McClain, but he's an instinctive player with great diagnostic skills that make up for those question marks. He's also a fiery leader.

16.Tennessee Titans-Sergio Kindle,OLB, Texas

Kiper: Kindle has proved surprisingly effective against the run despite questions about his size. But he has a long frame, could add some weight and has great value as a pass-rusher. He could be a great third-down edge guy in the absence of Kyle Vanden Bosch.

17.San Francisco ***** (from Carolina)-Mike Iupati,G, Idaho

Kiper: Iupati isn't a tackle, but he is the most dominant offensive lineman in the draft class and could be the Steve Hutchinson of this draft. That he could go this high as a guard is indicative of his talent. A former defensive player, Iupati can immediately improve the run game and plays with a mean streak.

18.Pittsburgh Steelers-Anthony Davis,OT, Rutgers

Kiper: Davis has all the physical tools to become a Pro Bowl left tackle and will represent great value at No. 18. Pittsburgh needs to protect and run-block better in 2010, and Davis' size and mobility make him capable of protecting the blind side and mauling in the run game.

19.Atlanta Falcons-C.J. Spiller,RB, Clemson

Kiper: Spiller would give this team a home run threat and is a steal here, based on his Big Board status. His speed was confirmed in Indy, and he has the hands to be both a danger in the passing game and a return option. One reason he could fall this far: he's not seen as an every-down option. For an RB, that matters.

20.Houston Texans-Kyle Wilson,CB, Boise State

Kiper: Atlanta's free-agent addition of Dunta Robinson is now Houston's hole to fill, and Wilson should be able to step in immediately to help the Texans' secondary. Wilson's stock is in solid shape after the combine, in which he also showed off surprising strength.

21.Cincinnati Bengals-Arrelious Benn,WR, Illinois

Kiper: Even if the Bengals add a veteran wideout to pair with Chad Ochocinco, they'll still need to find a younger threat in the passing game. Benn displays speed, strength and strong hands and has the ability to help in the return game.

22.New England Patriots-Brandon Graham,DE, Michigan

Kiper: New England needs help at OLB, and Graham could fill that hole. He has carried the momentum from a dominating season -- he led the nation in tackles for loss -- to an impressive Senior Bowl and combine. Graham is strong, uses great quickness and leverage and pursues well against the run.

23.Green Bay Packers-Bryan Bulaga,OT, Iowa

Kiper: Green Bay is lucky Aaron Rodgers was still standing at the end of last season. The Packers can't take that chance again. Upgrading the offensive line is a huge priority, and although Bulaga has had his off days, he's an impressive talent who moves well and has long arms that disrupt pass-rushers.

24.Philadelphia Eagles-Maurkice Pouncey,C, Florida

Kiper: The Eagles have a hole to fill in the center of their offensive line, and Pouncey can step in. He's not a mauler but is a cerebral, versatile talent who can play any of the three interior line positions. He's an ideal fit.

25.Baltimore Ravens-Jermaine Gresham,TE, Oklahoma
Kiper: The Ravens aren't finished in their mission to find weapons for Joe Flacco. Gresham is the best pure tight end in the draft and answered physical questions in Indy. The heir to Todd Heap is the perfect weapon for a young passer.

26.Arizona Cardinals-Jerry Hughes,LB, TCU

Kiper: Productivity was never a question for Hughes -- he was a sack machine in Fort Worth -- but he also has proved he has the physical skills to succeed as an OLB and as a dangerous situational pass-rusher. The Cards could use one. Hughes could help fill the productivity void in Arizona.

27.Dallas Cowboys-Earl Thomas,S, Texas

Kiper: At the combine, Thomas answered questions I had raised about his size. Although the Boys could use a tackle, if a top one isn't available here, the Texas product is a great fit for the Cowboys as a playmaker with cover skills at the safety position.

28.San Diego Chargers-Terrence Cody,DT, Alabama

Kiper: Talk about his physical limitations, weight questions and lack of speed -- but that's beside the point. Cody is the quintessential block-occupying clogger who makes everyone else better. He'd be a perfect centerpiece for San Diego's 3-4.

29.New York Jets-Taylor Mays,S, USC

Kiper: The best size-speed combination in the draft, Mays would fit with the Jets, who have solid cover corners and could use his impressive array of physical skills as a presence in the secondary. Rex Ryan could bring out the best in him.

30.Minnesota Vikings-Devin McCourty,CB, Rutgers

Kiper: McCourty's stock has surged, and he proved during the combine that he has the speed to change directions and run with NFL receivers. The Vikes also could go for Patrick Robinson here, but I have McCourty rated higher.

31.Indianapolis Colts-Brian Price,DT, UCLA

Kiper: Previously, I had the Colts taking Jared Odrick here, but Price is a superior option, a player who can beat or shed blockers and cause problems on the interior. The Colts should upgrade along the defensive line, and Price represents great value.

32.New Orleans Saints-Sean Weatherspoon,OLB, Missouri

Kiper: Weatherspoon is a perfect fit for the Saints, who need to add talent to their linebacker corps, particularly after the defection of Scott Fujita. Weatherspoon is a steady tackle who showed better speed during his combine workouts than many had expected.

To get any idea of who will be on the board at our #33 pick, here are some notables falling out of 1st round:
Jared Odrick,DT,Penn St
Charles Brown,OT,USC
Golden Tate,WR,ND
Ryan Mathews,RB,Fresno State
Jahvid Best,RB,Cal
Carlos Dunlap,DE,Florida
Corey Wootton,DE,Northwestwern

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

I think the 2nd round being the next day will have a significant impact on the trade offers the Rams will receive for that pick. Instead of having just a few minutes to make a trade, having most of the next day available will make for a heck of a lot more phone calls I'll bet.

Re: Mel Kiper’s 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

Originally Posted by RebelYell

I think the 2nd round being the next day will have a significant impact on the trade offers the Rams will receive for that pick. Instead of having just a few minutes to make a trade, having most of the next day available will make for a heck of a lot more phone calls I'll bet.

Should be interesting.

Great point. I would not be shocked at all if the Rams traded out of that pick, even if there were some good candidates available, in order to add more picks or players.

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

By the way, I really wish we could get rid of the "The Rams passed up Matt Ryan for Chris Long" talking point that some journalists and draftniks are using. The statement in the context that it used makes it sound like the Rams could have taken Ryan but elected to pass on a franchise QB. There was no conceivable way the Rams were taking Matt Ryan, because the ink on Marc Bulger's contract extension wasn't even a year old. There was absolutely no way the Rams ink Bulger to a $60 million extension, and then nine months later, drop a top two pick on another QB.

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

Originally Posted by Nick

By the way, I really wish we could get rid of the "The Rams passed up Matt Ryan for Chris Long" talking point that some journalists and draftniks are using. The statement in the context that it used makes it sound like the Rams could have taken Ryan but elected to pass on a franchise QB. There was no conceivable way the Rams were taking Matt Ryan, because the ink on Marc Bulger's contract extension wasn't even a year old. There was absolutely no way the Rams ink Bulger to a $60 million extension, and then nine months later, drop a top two pick on another QB.

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

If the 1st round did fall as above^, I would try and move ahead of the Saints to pick up OLB Sean Weatherspoon. I don't think he's going to make it out of the top 22 or so range but this is all guess work anyhow.

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

With both the Texans and Chargers likely teams to select a RB in the 1st round, I don't think he'll be there. With his strong combine, Mathews definitely elevated his stock to a rd. 1 prospect.. I've even heard speculation that a team running a ZBS like the Texans could take the more physical Mathews over Spiller.

Edit: And a team with no apparent need at RB could easily take a shot on Spiller as a change-of-pace, return guy. Especially with the success that CJ2K and Jamaal Charles have had at similar builds... all-in-all I don't think Mathews makes it out of the 1st round and it seems like an interesting ommision by Kiper.

Re: Mel Kiperís 2010 Mock Draft 3.0

I find it interesting that Kiper has Benn going at #21, yet he doesn't have Golden Tate going in the 1st round.

I was under the impression that Tate is the better prospect and that his impressive combine results most likely put him into 1st round consideration.

I like Tate much better. He's a smaller, faster receiver and the the only conceivable reason I'd even think about Benn in that scenario is if you were planning on attempting the world's largest human pyramid on the side for some extra cash.

I'm not much of a Benn fan, I think he's very overrated. In this case, and as much as I'd like to argue otherwise on any other day of the year, his statistics seem to speak for themselves.